For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
-Ephesians 2:10
Coming from a chef’s perspective, there’s just something about a painstakingly polished, antique silver punch bowl that warms the heart. You know the kind—lots of little details carefully carved into the silver—grapes, swirls and all manner of fanciful craftsmanship that provide dazzling layers of complexity, dimension and character. Light dances brilliantly across the deep and deliberate channels made by a thoughtful artist’s chisel; an artist that could imagine his work polished and well cared for, fulfilling its role as a functional thing of unique beauty and purpose. Though he tends to every detail, the artist knows that his work will likely be neglected and unappreciated. If only the bowl had understanding of just how precious it really is--if only.
In the dark, dust-conquered regions of kitchens and storerooms everywhere, are the long forgotten punch bowls of old. They rest, mute and hapless; the once glorious shine wrought from loving hands having long since departed in lieu of tarnish and obscurity; each bowl lost in a sea of unlabeled boxes and storeroom miscellany…just another piece of unremarkable trivia. How many of these precious vessels erroneously find their final resting place in the landfills of the world? It is a case of mistaken identity, I tell you. Likely, they were judged by the tarnish that clings to their exterior. If only the brilliance of their true nature, underneath, could be seen. If only antique punch bowls could polish themselves—if only.
I have heard tell of a polisher who finds and restores these bowls. Once asked to do so, he deftly removes the tarnish to reveal the truth underneath. He presents his preliminary findings to the bowl’s owner and says “Don’t throw this away…this one is beautiful and it belongs to you.” Over time, the polisher removes the tarnish from each nook and crevice; with exacting precision, making the bowl’s overall beauty more impactful and complete with each new day.
Now, the bowl sits atop tables at banquets, bringing refreshment to those in attendance; a testament to the one who made it. Those who see the difference wonder if they, themselves, have a disregarded silver bowl in their own kitchens. If only they knew someone who was as good at polishing silver—if only.
-T. Michael Cart
T.R.U.T.H. in Ministry.org
-Ephesians 2:10
Coming from a chef’s perspective, there’s just something about a painstakingly polished, antique silver punch bowl that warms the heart. You know the kind—lots of little details carefully carved into the silver—grapes, swirls and all manner of fanciful craftsmanship that provide dazzling layers of complexity, dimension and character. Light dances brilliantly across the deep and deliberate channels made by a thoughtful artist’s chisel; an artist that could imagine his work polished and well cared for, fulfilling its role as a functional thing of unique beauty and purpose. Though he tends to every detail, the artist knows that his work will likely be neglected and unappreciated. If only the bowl had understanding of just how precious it really is--if only.
In the dark, dust-conquered regions of kitchens and storerooms everywhere, are the long forgotten punch bowls of old. They rest, mute and hapless; the once glorious shine wrought from loving hands having long since departed in lieu of tarnish and obscurity; each bowl lost in a sea of unlabeled boxes and storeroom miscellany…just another piece of unremarkable trivia. How many of these precious vessels erroneously find their final resting place in the landfills of the world? It is a case of mistaken identity, I tell you. Likely, they were judged by the tarnish that clings to their exterior. If only the brilliance of their true nature, underneath, could be seen. If only antique punch bowls could polish themselves—if only.
I have heard tell of a polisher who finds and restores these bowls. Once asked to do so, he deftly removes the tarnish to reveal the truth underneath. He presents his preliminary findings to the bowl’s owner and says “Don’t throw this away…this one is beautiful and it belongs to you.” Over time, the polisher removes the tarnish from each nook and crevice; with exacting precision, making the bowl’s overall beauty more impactful and complete with each new day.
Now, the bowl sits atop tables at banquets, bringing refreshment to those in attendance; a testament to the one who made it. Those who see the difference wonder if they, themselves, have a disregarded silver bowl in their own kitchens. If only they knew someone who was as good at polishing silver—if only.
-T. Michael Cart
T.R.U.T.H. in Ministry.org
